8 Easy steps on how to help your “picky eater” eat healthier!

8 Easy steps on how to help your “picky eater” eat healthier!

Many parents know how it feels to have a child who’s a picky eater or know a parent with a picky eater at home. However, getting kids to eat healthy is a BIG challenge for any parent. Parents today, are dealing with a lot of issues when looking for healthy foods to feed their families. Many foods today are filled with unhealthy levels of fat, sugar, or salt; some have artificial flavoring. And, if that’s not enough, some parents are dealing with children with life- threatening allergies to certain foods like peanuts, eggs, and certain types of nuts.

That’s why it’s not only important to understand and know your child’s medical history. You also need to understand what type of diet would suit their needs for a healthy development. Most parents are looking for ways to get their kids to eat healthier but are not sure where to start. We suggest a trial and error methodology to strike the right balance for your child’s eating habits. Here are 8 steps, that are fun and easy to get your kids to eat healthier and get the nutrition they need.

HAVE A PLAN FOR THE WEEK

Trying to figure out of what to cook every day is hard. My spouse and I go through it every night….spouse: ”What do you want for dinner” me: “I don’t know, you”? I’m sure we’re not alone. However, what we’ve discovered is, if we set up a weekly menu ahead of time, it makes life a lot easier. And since children need to eat an average of three meals and two snacks a day, it is best to make a menu. Well, balanced snacks  throughout the day are ideal so that your kids won’t over eat by the time dinner is served.

EXPERIMENT WITH DIPS

Try experimenting  with dips!  Some kids who try their vegetables for the first time find it fun when they try it with dips. You can also prepare it with some yogurt- based dressing instead of mayonnaise to make it even healthier.

SLOWLY INTRODUCE THEM TO NEW FOODS

Kids are picky by nature, especially when it comes to new foods. That’s why you have to introduce new foods slowly so they’re not overwhelmed. They may refuse at first, but over time with some patience, they might learn to like it or at the very least try something new. Remember always try to be creative when introducing a new food.

MAKE SURE THEY BEGIN THE DAY WITH A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

Breakfast is often the most forgotten meal of the day due to our busy schedules. However, since kids need energy throughout the day it’s critically important that you make it a priority. Since skipping it means your child is missing out on vital nutrients they need for growth and development.

GET THEM INVOLVED IN PREPARING MEALS

Getting your kids involved in preparing daily meals will help peek their interest. It’s like play time and will make them curious about the food they’re about to eat. You can assign tasks i.e. peeling the banana or mixing the salad bowl, or just placing the butter into the pan. Studies have shown, kids are more likely to eat the food they helped prepare.

LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF JUNK FOOD AROUND THE HOUSE

Keep healthy foods around the house. Replace junk foods with fruit & veggies or other healthy snacks. Allow them to have unhealthy foods occasionally, but never let it be a part of their diet. Allowing them to have junk foods occasionally can lessen its appeal.

BE PATIENT AND GIVE IT TIME

Never force your child to eat something that they don’t want to eat, it will only cause your child to resist it. Come up with creative ways to make healthy food more appealing. Allow time for them to learn healthy eating habits. It may take time but you have to have enough patience; be consistent and persistent.

PROVIDE HEALTHY SNACKS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

Kids like sweets so add natural fruit as a substitute. Keep them away from processed foods with high concentration of sugar or artificial colors. Present other healthy snacks in creative ways to make them more appealing. Studies have shown instilling an appreciation for healthy foods at an early age lasts a lifetime.